Fly-half Marcus Smith tallied 24 points as he helped Harlequins beat fellow Heineken Champions Cup side Sale Sharks 29-13 in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday.

The England international, who racked up 60 points in last season’s Heineken Champions Cup, scored a try, kicked five penalties and added two conversions as Quins ended Sale’s unbeaten start to this campaign.

Nick David crossed on 10 minutes to get the ball rolling for visitors Quins at the AJ Bell Stadium, but Sam James responded for Sale, with Rob du Preez converting and then slotting a penalty to give the hosts the lead.

However, Smith nudged his first penalty on 23 minutes and then darted over shortly before the break, notching his second conversion to put Quins 17-10 up.

And the 23-year-old’s four penalties in the second half kept Quins out of sight, with Sale only able to muster a solitary kick from du Preez.

In the TOP 14 on Sunday, Stade Toulousain triumphed 26-17 against Stade Rochelais in what was re-run of the 2021 Heineken Champions Cup final.

And like in that showpiece game, La Rochelle saw a man sent off early on, with Reda Wardi dismissed for a high tackle on 12 minutes.

Thomas Ramos was ultimately the hero for Toulouse – he was responsible for all of their points as he dotted down for a try and kicked seven penalties.

La Rochelle produced a commendable effort despite their numerical disadvantage for the majority of the game, crossing through Brice Dulin and Rémi Picquette in the second half.